New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress has suspended 202 office-bearers across seven states for allegedly skipping the INDIA bloc’s ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
The disciplinary action covers office-bearers from Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Those suspended include state Youth Congress vice-presidents, general secretaries and secretaries.
The rally, held against alleged vote theft and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, was organised by the INDIA bloc and chaired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
202 Office-Bearers Suspended Across Seven States
According to the reported figures, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of suspensions, with 60 office-bearers facing action. Gujarat followed with 49, while 32 were suspended in Jharkhand and 26 in West Bengal.
The state-wise figures are:
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Gujarat: 49
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West Bengal: 26
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Uttar Pradesh (Central): 11
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Telangana: 14
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Haryana: 10
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Madhya Pradesh: 60
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Jharkhand: 32
The total number of suspended office-bearers across the seven states stands at 202.
Sources said the office-bearers were asked to explain their alleged lack of participation in the rally. Their responses were reportedly found unsatisfactory, following which disciplinary action was initiated.
More States May See Disciplinary Action
The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress said in a statement posted on social media platform X that the suspensions had been carried out in compliance with directions from the Indian Youth Congress national leadership.
It described the absence of office-bearers from the November 1 ‘Vote Chori Virodhi Rally’ as organisational indiscipline. The suspended members were removed from their responsibilities with immediate effect until further orders.
The state unit said the action was intended to maintain organisational discipline and ensure that office-bearers followed the national leadership’s directions.
Sources indicated that functionaries from other states could also face action as the disciplinary process continues.
BJP Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Suspensions
The BJP criticised the Congress over the suspensions, with party spokesperson C.R. Kesavan targeting Rahul Gandhi.
“Rahul Gandhi, even Youth Congress office-bearers from your own party consider you inept and incompetent, boycotting your failed rally,” Kesavan said.
He also claimed that Gandhi was trying to divert attention from the suspension of more than 80 Youth Congress office-bearers in Madhya Pradesh and over 50 across Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
Kesavan further criticised Gandhi’s statements on mock Parliament, debates and polls, and challenged him to participate in a debate in Parliament.
The INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan was held to protest alleged vote theft and irregularities in electoral rolls, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Rahul Gandhi chaired the rally, which was organised at his initiative.